Incendiary bomb



A 1944- E. L. SAMANN 2,354,882

INCENDIARY BOMB Filed Dec. 29, 1941 s sheets-sheet 1 I INVENTOR.

. [77c L. Jamann Aug. 1, 1944. E. 1.. SAMANN 2,354,832

INCENDIARY BOMB Filed Dec. 29, 1941 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 HIM n 1m 3 7" INVENTOR.

5% L. Jamaal? 1944 E. L. SAMAh lN 2,354,882

INCENDIARY BOMB Filed Dec. 29, 1941 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR. [he 4. \fd/770/7/7 Patented Aug. 1, 1944 r OFFICE INCENDIARY BOMB Eric L. Samann, Detroit, Mich. Application December 29, 1941, Serial No. 424,704

13 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in the design of liquid incendiary bombs and places special emphasis on a firing mechanism to be used for igniting the liquid upon impact of the bomb with its target.

The general object of this invention is to design a type of liquid incendiary bomb which is simple of construction, which may be ignited by .a simple and positive type of firing mechanism and which may be constructed as a penetrating or non-penetrating type of bomb by slight changes in design only. Included in this general object is the design of the above mentioned firing mechanism. The following are the more important of the specific objects of the invention: I 7

(a) To provide a bomb having a liquid container separate and removed from thefiring mechanism associated therewith.

-( b) To provide a firing mechanism comprising means for piercing the liquid container of the bomb in combination with means for igniting the liquid which will thereupo v be released.

(c) To construct the firing mechanism in a manner such that the means for igniting the liquid will not be actuated until after the liquid container has been pierced.

'(d) To construct the firin mechanism so that the actuating parts thereof may readily be removed in order that the bombs'may be stored and handled-with'no danger of their being ignited. r

(e) To provide safety or retaining members in association with the actuating members of the firing mechanism' so that there will be no danger of the bomb being i nited in ordinary handling. p

I f In the drawings accompanyingthis specification, the constructional vdetails of both a penetrating and a non-penetrating type of bomb are disclosed, together with fragmentary views showing the mode of operation of the firing mechanism. associated therewith. These drawings cornprise: v .Fig. 1, whichis an elevation showing a non- .penetrating type of bomb with the firingmechanism attached thereto, this view showing in Lsection-the various parts of the firing mechanism in'the position they occupy prior to actuation; i

Fig. 2, an. end view showing the nose of the bombillustratedinFig. 1; r a..F t i w n he r 95 be i n of h 29m .of Fig. 1 in elevation, with sectional details of Fig. 7,. a view similar to Fig. 1 but showing constructional details of the penetrating type of b Fig. 8, an end view of the bomb of Fig. 7, showingthe nose thereof; and Fig. 9, an end view showing the external structure of the tail of either form of bomb.

he incendiary bombs of this invention are designed to be u'sedwith anyof the inflammable hydrocarbons, gasoline being preferred. In the construction of the non-penetrating type shown in Fig. 1, a cylindrical tank ll, together with a conical tank 12, are united along a seam l3to form the liquid containing portion of the bomb, the tank [2 also serving as a tail piece to which an assembly composed of suitable fins l4 and a tail ring 58 is attached. The tail end of the tank I2 is sealed by an end wall 15 to which a filler cap I6 is secured, while the opposite or lower end'of the liqud' container is closed by a bulkhead 22 attached to the tank H at a position inwardly from the lower end thereof so as to leave an overhanging area 23 which is used as a surface to which the nose sectionof the bomb is secured.

This nose section of the bomb is composed of a seriesof segments l1, each of which has portions 18' which extend radially of the longitudi- ,nal axis or the nose section, and which are joined by a central web I 9. As shown by Fig'. 2, eight of thesesegmen ts il'l are employed in the bomb illustratedto form a circular nose section and,

when assembled inthismanner, the webs H! of this series of segments form a roughly circular aperture 20 extending up through the center of the nose 'section, and the outside portion of the nosesection'is open'tothe air except along the areas formed by adjacent radial portions I 8. and

except for a circular area at the tip of the nose which is reinforcedby a circular member 2! provided with a hole corresponding to the diameter of the aforementioned aperture. order that the nose section may be fitted within and secured to the overhanging area 23 leftat the lower end of. the tank I l a small shoulder 56,

'28 of the adjacent segment.

together with an inwardly bent lug 51, is formed at the upper and outer part of the radial portions 18 of each of the segments H, the lugs 51 being connected to the shell of the tank I I when, the bomb is assembled.

Since the foregoing construction results in a unitary liquid container having no opening through which liquid may fiow other than that provided by the filler cap I6, means for piercing the container must be provided so that the liquid may escape and be ignited. This means in the present invention forms part of the major assembly referred to herein'as the firing mechanism, and therefore it may be said that the firing mechanism consists of a combination of piercing means and firing means, together with a common member which actuates both. The piercing means consists of a cutter 24, shown in Figs. 5 and 6 to be made up of a number of individual segmental cutters 25, each of which is formed with a central portion 26 bound on either. sideby radially extending upturned flanges 21 and 28, the flange Z'Ibeing shorter in length than flange 28. To form'the assembled cutter, the cutting segments are secured together along these upturned flanges with the short flange 21 of one segment being attached to the long flange Thus, the upturned flanges comprise the' cutting portions, and the outer periphery of the cutter is of a fluted shape. When a bomb is assembled a cutinner and upper part-of each segment I! of the nose section, andwhen the cutteriis so positioned, it lies immediately below the lower end 22 of the liquid container. It is held in this position by being attached to the upper end of a sleeve 30 whichis 'slideably mounted within the aforementioned aperture 20" of the nose section, but which is held'against accidental movement by a cotter key 3| extending through holes provided in the sidewalls of both the aperture and the sleeve30; An adapter member orshe'll chamber 32 ,is secured to the lower end of the sleeve 30, this shell'chamber'be'ing provided with 'an inner bore 33' ofsuch dimensions as to hold some form of explosive shell, such as a standard size shotgun shell 34, used here with a charge of, powder, only, preferably the non-smokeless type.

In the non-penetrating bomb of Figs 1 through 4', the firing means incorporated in'the firing mechanism consists of a shaft'or stem 35,

one end of which is shaped in theform of a The opposite end of this mushroom point 36. v shaft is' recessed and internally threaded at 31 so that it may be secured to a correspondingly threaded portion 38 formed on the'lower end of the shell'cha'mber 32. 'Immediately'below the recessed and threaded portion'3l, theshaft'is counterbored at 39 to accommodate, a firing pin having a cylindrical portion from which projects a pin 4] This firing pin is' retained within the counterbored portion 39 by a spring reshell chamber'32.

of and is pivotally mounted upon a pin 45. Small holes 46 are bored in the face of the cam 44 at points thereon which are immediately adjacent the circumference of the shaft 35 when the cam is in a neutral or cocked position so that by plugging these holes with suitable pieces of wire-it becomes impossible for the cam 44 to rotate and actuate the firing pin while the bomb is being handled.

constructional details of the penetrating type of bomb are shown in Figs. '7 and 8. From a cursory examination of these figures, it can be ,seen that the operating principle of this form ring and filler cap of this bomb are similar to ing type described, although it is obvious that changes have been made in some of the constructional details in order that this bomb may more capably perform the function for which it is. designed. In view of the general similarity between the two forms of bombs, the following description of the construction ofv the penetrating type will be specific toonly those features which are not found in the previously described non-penetrating type. Similar parts of both types are designated by the same reference character. 1

The penetrating type is distinguishable in that it is formed with an outer shell consisting of a cylindrical portion 41, to the upper end of which a conical portion 48 is secured.- A separate liquid container is positioned within this outer portion and is composed of a cylindrical tank 49 con- 7 nected at its upper end to a conical tank 50." The complete liquid container consisting of these two tan-ks is held within the outer portion of thebom'b by a number of U-shaped spacers 5|. The dollble shell resulting from this construction has the structural effect of giving added resistance against a collapse of. the liquid container upon impact. which; would prematurely disperse the liquid and also cause such distortion of the bomb as a whole as would prevent it from penetrating the target to the extent desired and possible when a rigid form of construction is used.

Details of the construction ofthe tail fins, tail corresponding parts of the non-penetrating type, and the same is also true of the nose section, although it may be found desirable to employ a heavier gauge of metal in the fabrication of the segmental stampings which comprise this part,

or to substitute a cast or forged nose section for added weight and resistance against impact loads.

. Regardingthe firing mechanism used with the penetrating ,bomb, the onlychange isthe substitution, for obvious. reasons, of a'penetrating type of point 52 for themushroom point 36 with which the non-penetratingbgmb is equipped.

Both the foregoing description and the draw ings; show that the specific 'forms'ofthe. invention disclo's ed herein have been designed in such away that all component parts entering into theconstruetion-of' a bomb may be" fabricated by stamping processes withthe exception-of certhe form of a cam M which is positioned within "a slotted portion formed inth e shaft--35 imme- I diatelybelow the'ccunterbored portion 39 there- #Bj "tain' parts of the firing mechanism.

It is" intended that connections between parts willbe 'made 'by welding and'therefore an employment "of the principles of design disclosedwill' result in achi'evingthe well-known advantages 'in speed 10 andeconomy which arise -from-the combineduse of stamping and welding "processes in mass production, r 1

The "construction "off-either type of bomb, is broken down into a suitable, number of fsubsassemblies, such as the following: (1)" ta'ilflns and I .ring; (2) liquid container or body; (3) nose section; (4) piercing means; and. (5). firing means. In the final assembly,' all these :subassembles are united with the exception. ofthe firing .means, the piercing means'being placed within the aperture of the nose section and secured in place bythe cotter key 3| beforethe nose section is attached to the body of. the bomb. By leaving the firing means to be assembled Ilater,;p'referably just beforethe bomb is used, the handling of the bomb is facilitated since it occupies less space, and the possibility of damage in handling becomes remote as there are no pro- ;truding parts. When it is desired to use a bomb, 'theliquid container is filled with gasoline, a shell :is inserted in the shell chamber 32 and the firing ::means is secured to the piercing means by screwing the former on to the threaded portion 38 of fthe shell chamber. Naturally, a bomb, does not become an inherently dangerous instrumentality until this time, which fact further facilitates previous handling.

The inflammable liquid contained in either the penetrating or non-penetrating type of bomb is ignited upon contact with the target by the following action of the firing mechanism: When the nose point strikes the target, the force of 'the blow will cause a shearing of the cotter key 3| and the entire firing mechanism will thereupon travel inwardly of the bomb allowing the cutter 24 to contact and pierce the-bottom wall -22 of the liquid container, .andthe inflammable liquid, which will behave as though under pressure, will instantly begin to flow from the container down the upper surface of the cutter to drop in a roughly conical spray through the open nose portion of the bomb. This condition is depicted in Fig. --3. Fig. 4; shows a conditionthat .will obtain an instant later.-v Here, the firing mechanism has. travelled a further distance in- .wardly and duringthis travel the upper faceof the firing cam 44 has come in contact with the reinforcing plate 2| on the nose of the bomb with :the result that the safety wires which extend .through the holes 46 in the cam have been, sheared. The cam has then been forced to ro- -tate about the pivot pin45, thereby driving the :firing pin against the percussion cap of the shell 34, firing it. Flame from the explosion of the shell escapes into the gasoline saturated atmos- .phere within the nose of the bomb through a series of holes 53 which are provided in the sleeve 30 for this purpose and the gasoline is instantly ignited.

After firing has taken place, the firing mechwhich will cause the ignited inflammable liquid to be dispersed-over a large area. Thepenetrating'type; however, is designed so thatthe bomb structure will withstand the heavy shock of. im-

pact, since otherwise the desired penetrating ac-;

tion will not be achieved. Due to this penetrating action, a somewhat difierent'form of "ignition of the -inflammabl'eliquid may occur "with this type.-- vItcanreadily be seen from the 5 anism will continue to travel inwardly until the "construction of the "-parts that the .ufiring ac- 5.7

tion of the firing mechanism. employed will .be .identical to the foregoing description of'this firing action relative to the non-penetrating type. In other Words, initial contact of the bomb with the target will cause the liquid container to be pierced and the explosive shell to be fired, there- ,by igniting the liquid then released from the liquid container. Since the penerating bomb may travel a considerable distance after this initial contact, depending, of course, on the resistance offered by the type of construction of the target, the flame initially produced by the action of the firing mechanism .will not occur at the point where the major portion of the inflammable liquid will be released, and therefore some of this initial flame must be carried along with the .bomb until the downward motion thereof has ceased. Two factors contribute to insure the presence of flame during this downward motion: (1)The fact that a supply of inflammableiliquid is escaping from its. container at all times after initial contact with the target, and (2) the fact that a portion of this ignited liquid will be forced, as a result of the downward motion of the bomb; up into the air space 54 between the liquid container and the outer shell from whence'lt will .fall .back to the nose of the bomb whe :downward motion has ceased. 1

It is intended that both types of bombs willbe constructed so thattheir overall dimensions correspond to those of existing forms of bombs. This will permittheir use in present bomb racks where they can be aimed at a target with the aidfof a bombsight, thus securing greater precision and accuracy than'can be obtained with the present small "sizes of thermite and similar incendiaries.- I

Any modifications within the definitions of the following claims will, of course, be considered a part of the scope ofthis invention.

Iclaim: Y 1. A bomb having a container adapted to be filled with an ignitable substance,v means to isnite said substance upon contact of the bomb with a target comprising a member movable relative to said container, said member having -means adapted to pierce said container, a pri- 'mary charge, percussion means to detonate said primary charge, comprising a firing pin, actuating means therefor carried byv said movable member and means fixed to .said container for engaging said actuating means and operating the same only after said piercing means has punctured said container.

2. A bomb having a container adapted-to be filled with an ignitable substance, a nose sec-- tion mounted adjacent said container, the major portion of said nose section being open to the air, a member carried by said nose section and movable relative thereto, said member having piercing means normally positioned adjacent said container, whereby said container will be pierced upon movement of said member allowing said substance to escape into ,said'open nose section, a primary charge carried by said nose section percussion'means, to detonatesaid charge car- E'ried by saidniember, and means for actuatin said percussion meansalso carried by said member and operative only after an initial predetermined movement of said member of sufiicient extent to cause, said piercing means to puncture said container.

3. Aliquid. incendiary nbomb having a body forming a container for an inflammable liquid, a nose section secured tosaid body,v the major portion of said nose section being open to the air, a member mounted in said nose section and movable relative thereto, said member having piercing means normally positioned adjacent to said container, a primary charge, means to detonate said charge carried by said member, said detonating means comprising a firing. pin mounted adjacent said charge and a trigger adapted to actuate said firing pin, and cooperating means carried by said nose section and member for actuating said piercing means and said trigger upon the movement of said'member.

4. A liquid incendiary bomb having a body forming a containerfor an inflammable liquid, a nose section secured to saidbody, the major portion of said nose section being open to the 'air,

a member mounted in said nose section and movable relative thereto, said member projecting externally of said nose section, said member having piercing means normally positioned adjacent to said container, a primary charge, means to detonate said charge carried by said member, said detonating means comprising a firing pin mounted adjacent said charge and atrigger adapted to actuate said firing pin, said trigger being associated with said projecting portion of said member whereby said piercin means and said trigger will function upon the movement of said member.

5. A liquid incendiary bomb having an outer shell, a liquid container positioned within said outer shell, a plurality of reinforcing members positioned longitudinally of said outer shell and connected to the inner surface thereof, said re-i inforcing members defining the position of said liquid container, a nose section secured to said outer shell, the major portion of said nose sec; tion being open to the air, a member carried by said nose section and movable relative thereto, said member having piercing'means' normally positioned adjacent said container, whereby said container will be pierced upon movement of said member allowing said liquid to escape intosaid open nose section, a primary charge carried by said nose section and means to detonate said charge.

6. A firing mechanism adapted to be used with bombs of the type wherein an ignitible liquid substance is carried within a container, said firing mechanism comprising a sleeve adapted to be mounted adjacent said container, a member mounted within said sleeve and. movable relative thereto, piercing meanscarried by one end of said member, the other end of said member projecting from said sleeve, a primary charge and means to detonate said primary charge both care ried by said member, said. detonating means comprising a firing pin and means to actuate said firing pin, said actuating means, being located on the said projecting portion oi'said member.

-7. A nose section and firin mechanism adapted for use with devices 'of the class. described, said nose section having a. sleeve extendingalong its longitudinal axis, piercing means carried by :v

said's'leeve, said firing'mechanism'being mounted in said sleeve and projecting therefrom, said firing mechanism comprising a primary charge and means to detonate saidprimary charge, said piercing means and said firing :mechanism'. being "movable as a unit relative to said sleeve, and said firing mechanism including a trigger-solely actuated by the relative movement between said unit ed for use with devices of the class described, said nose section having a sleeve extending along its longitudinal axis, rib extending radially of said sleeve, a tubular member slidably mounted within said'sleeve and projecting from the inner end thereof, piercing means mounted on said projecting end of said tubular member, said. tubular member being adapted to carry a primary charge, means to detonate said primary charge,

and a nose point adapted to be secured to said tubular member.

9. A nose section and-firing mechanism adapt- "ed for use with devices of the class described,

said nose section having a sleeve extending along its longitudinal axis, ribs extending radially of said sleeve,'a tubular member slidably mounted within said sleeve and projecting from the inner end-thereof, piercing means mounted on said projecting end of said tubular member, said tubular-member being adapted to carry a primary charge, means to detonate said primary charge, a nose point adapted to be secured to said tubular member, said detonating means comprising a firing pin, a firing cam contacting said firing pin, said firing cam being pivotally mounted in said nose point and projecting there,- from. I

10. A'nose section and firing mechanism for use with devices of the class described, said nose section comprising a plurality of segmental stampings each having portions extending radiallyof the longitudinal axis of said nose section, the inner ends of the said radial portions of each such stamping being connected by a web whereby a sleeve is formed along the longitudinal axis of said nose section, a tubular member mounted in said sleeve and Wholly-contained within said nose section, a piston-like cutter car- 'ried by the inner end of said tubular member,

said tubular member being adapted to carry a primary charge, 'a nose point detachably secured -to said tubular member, and means carried by said nose point to detonate said primary charge.

1 1. A bomb comprising a main 'body portion and a nose section, a liquid container mounted within saidmain body portion, piercing means carried by said nose section adjacent tosaidliquid container, a readily shearable locking device for normally holding the piercing means spaced from said containena firing mechanism adapted to' be detachably secured to said piercing means to move therewith as a unit, said firing mechanism comprising percussion detonating means and an actuating mechanism therefor, a readily shearable means for normally preventing operation of said actuating mechanism, and means carried by said nose section for successively shearing said'first named and then said second named readily shearable devices upon impact of saidbomb to first effect a puncturing of said container and then the discharge of said detonating percussion means. 7

I .12. A- bomb comprising a main body portion and a nose section, a liquid container carried tainer, piercing. means mounted for longitudinal sliding movement in-said sleeve, a first readily shearable locking device for normally holding said; piercing means against movement relative to said sleeve, a firing, mechanism adaptedgto be ating device for said percussion means and a second readily shearable means for normally locking said actuating device against movement and an impact member carried by said firing mechanism for causing said first readily shear-able device to be severed and to efiect longitudinal movement of said piercing means to puncture said container upon impact of said bomb and means carried by said nose section to engage said actuating device after said container has been punctured to shear said second readily shearable means and to cause said actuating device to explode said detonating charge. r

13. In a device of the character described a ERIC L. SAMANN. 

